2023 BLAZING IN BUDAPEST
Jamaica Sports
100 metres: Jackson has matured as a sprinter since her Olympic 100‐metre bronze in 2021. The 2023 version has a start to match the best and, as ever, Shericka’s acceleraon and top speed are brilliant. The new combinaon produced a world‐leading me of 10.65 seconds at Jamaica’s Naonal Championships. A mid‐season setback has damaged the preparaon of five‐me winner Shelly‐Ann Fraser‐Pryce. But she is so good on big days that Jamaica will get two medals. Bronze? The numbers FAVOUR colourful American Sha’carri Richardson over Ivory Coast veteran Marie‐ Josée Talou, but the laer is looking so relaxed since her recent coaching change that a third World Champs 100‐ metre medal beckons for her. 200 metres: Jackson, Fraser‐ Pryce and 2019 winner Dina Asher‐Smith took the medals in Eugene but according to Fraser‐ Pryce, that was her last major championship at 200. Does that automacally move the Briton one step up on the podium? The answer is that 2021 bronze medallist Gabrielle Thomas is back, beang Richardson at the US Trials with a world‐leading effort of 21.60 seconds. There is speculaon that Jackson could
JACKSON TO LEAD JAMAICA’S WOMEN TO SEVEN MEDALS L ast year, a 1‐2‐3 finish in the 100 metres kicked off a 10‐medal team performance at the Eugene World Championships with our women taking nine of those podium spots. Those numbers will be within reach when Jamaica blazes into Budapest for the August 19‐27 World Championships. It’s safe to predict that Jamaica’s women will win seven medals in the Hungarian capital, with Shericka Jackson possibly winning the sprint double.
go for broke in the Budapest final. In Eugene, she flew to 21.45 seconds, just 0.11 off the world record of 21.34. She might get closer this me. One key factor for sprinters in Europe is the weather. The forecast for the day of the final, August 25, is favourable at 28 degrees Celsius (82˚F). Julien Alfred false started in last year’s 100 semifinals but aer a fine senior season for the University of Texas, the quiet St. Lucian could be in both the 100 and 200 finals this me. After clocking 10.71 this year, Sha’Carri Richardson poses the greatest threat to Jamaicans in the women’s 100m.
WOMEN’S SPRINTS
Incidentally, the last successful sprint double at the World
Shericka Jackson’s improved start helped her to a 2023 world lead of 10.65 in the women’s 100 metres.
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